I'm writing this on International Women's Day. This holiday, I know, is primarily celebrated to help get the discussion moving with regard to women's rights and gender equality. I could write this post with the intent to share only my thoughts on the more political side of this holiday but, to me, today is more about celebrating the women who inspire me. When scrolling through my Facebook and Instagram feeds today, I've come to find that there are many others who seem to share that same mindset.

Alas, my friends, I want to talk about my own "girl squad". Before you scoff at those two little words I've just said, know that there was a time in my life when I would have scoffed at them too.

To me, "girl squad" sounded cliquish. And cliques? No thanks. I've never been into the whole "let's band together and hate anyone who isn't like us" thing. I have tried (and succeeded, I think?) to be welcoming of anyone who truly wants to talk to me, and I will always strive to be that woman. Kindness, openness, acceptance, and consideration for others is huge to me, and I believe I've developed these character traits because of the women who have best portrayed their value.

Those women are my squad.

A girl squad is not meant to be a closed group that's created with the intent to keep others out. A true, genuine girl squad is something that is supposed to grow and promote acceptance. The women who choose to be a part of it, enter into it knowing they are there to not only get support, but to offer it. They're there to help each other believe in themselves, to empower one another, and to serve as a pillar of support when one of the members is no longer strong enough to stand on their own.

When I look back at the years of my life and picture the greatest (and worst) moments, my "squad" is a part of every single memory. Whether we were together or they were supporting me from a distance, my girls were always there. They have been my strength, my mentors, my inspiration, my laughter, my motivation, and so much more, through so many of my life experiences.

It is my hope that each and every one of you can come to realize that you likely have a girl squad, too. Look at the women in your life and consider who best exemplifies the following qualities:

• They applaud and share in celebrating your successes.
• They share in your pain and do all they can (without ulterior motives) to help you through it.
• You can tell them literally anything and trust that sensitive information will not be distributed to others as "gossip".
• They will call you out when you're acting a fool because they know the difference between who you are and who you're not.
• You feel safe when you're with them.
• Dishonesty just isn't a thing.
• When you're weak, they show up. Even when you think you don't want them to.
• When they're around, you feel like you're spending time with family (whether they're related to you or not).
• They check on you.
• They push you to be the best possible version of who you are.
• They remind you who you are when trouble rears its head.
• They don't compete or try to "one up" you in any way.
• They help build your confidence.
• They're protective of you and you know they would never let anyone hurt you.
• There is an equal amount of time spent sharing problems with one another and, when you are truly struggling, they set aside their own problems to listen. (*Note this has to go both ways for it to be truly applicable.)
• They love you and they tell you that.

Certainly, I have even more things to add to this list, but in sharing these as the most important, I ask you to think of the women in your life and jot down the names of those who came to mind as you read through this post. Maybe you have 2 people, maybe you have 10, maybe you don't have any. My suggestion to you is this: If you have even one person who meets this description, you need to Stage-5-Cling onto them, ya dig? If you feel as though you don't have anyone who makes you feel like this? Then have faith and trust that you will find them if you're willing to do the work and the searching. You have to remember that this list can't just apply to how people treat you, but to how you treat them as well. Use it as the foundation on which you try to reflect and model your own character.

Girl squad or not, thank the women who mean something to you today. Remind them that you're proud, remind them that they're valued, and celebrate the amazing gift that is having them in your life.

To my girl squad? You are the most amazing pack of women I know. You save me, you inspire me, you push me, and you are easily the greatest gift I've been given in this life. Knowing how difficult it can be to find true friends, I feel like the luckiest person alive because of each and every one of you. Whether we were brought together through blood or simply passed one another along the path of life and decided to start walking together, I am grateful for you. I love you. I will be here for you through thick and thin, and I will always strive to be the example for you that each and every one of you are for me. I couldn't make it without you, and I thank God for blessing me with such an incredible squad to call my own.